Twelve ex-staffers of Montana Sen. Max Baucus now work as lobbyists with direct interest in the Senate climate bill. Guess who’s Mr. Popular?

Last week we mused about Baucus’ lone committee vote against the Senate Democrats climate change bill that would exempt agribusiness from any accountability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Was Max just being mavericky Max?

The Sunlight Foundation notes there may be a much more cynical tale to be told about that vote and future ones as Senate Finance chair:

Baucus will likely have a lot of input coming in from outside his office as twelve of his former staffers, including four former chiefs of staff, work as lobbyists for organizations with an explicit interest in climate legislation.

These twelve lobbyists represent a large cross-section of industries, from airlines to railroads and oil producers to solar energy companies. The diversity of organizations also brings a diversity in positions on the underlying climate bill. Many of the organizations represented by former staffers of Baucus are generally supportive of a climate bill, but are seeking certain provisions to be included or not removed during the committee process. Others are engaged in outward opposition.

Read the rest of the story and check out the relationship map embedded below: The Max Baucus Energy & Climate Lobbyist Complex

Natural foes in the agriculture, forestry and manufacturing sectors are becoming bosom buddies over a new U.S. Senate bill that significantly weakens carbon emission standards, known as “cap and trade.”

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), with backing from Montana Democrat Sen. Max Baucus, introduced the Clean Energy Partnerships Act (S. 2729) that among several goals exempts agribusiness from emissions caps.

You know, the guys responsible for creating one-fifth of all greenhouse gases through industrial meat production alone. And don’t even get the enviros started on the ill-effects of corn growing and synthetic nitrogen fertilizer on the atmosphere.

The Stabenow amendment was filed just as the unprecedented Senate Environment and Public Works Committee show down took place Thursday in which Republican members boycotted the hearing and where Baucus was the sole 11-1 defector against his party’s signature energy bill — Global Warming Pollution Reduction and Investment Act.

Said Stabenow in a written statement on her cap and trade amendment:

It creates a partnership between our manufacturing and agricultural industries. It will encourage and reward conservation efforts by farmers and landowners while at the same time helping manufacturers make investments in advanced technology and jobs here at home. By doing so, we can reduce costs now, creating a bridge to a clean energy economy tomorrow.

Stabenow claims that her bill, supported by forestry interests reduces incentives for clear-cutting by using forests for carbon sequestration. A noble goal but for the tinder-box forests devastated by pine bark beetles throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

Yet as Tom Philpott noted at Grist.org during the U.S. House debate on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, Big Ag’s “screw the cap but give us the trade” stance demolishes the carrot and stick argument for more sustainable farming and ranching practices:

Perhaps anticipating draconian fines if serious climate legislation passes, the agribiz lobby has rolled out its climate agenda. It’s a doozy. Honestly, I’ve seen nothing more brazen since AIG execs started stuffing their trousers with government cash after they had made the world’s biggest insurance company a ward of the state.

Theatrics surrounding the Senate’s version of the energy policy are highly anticipated but apparently mums the word on S. 2729 just introduced Nov. 4.